​The Middle Ages or Dark Ages

The Middle Ages, or Medieval Times, in Europe was a long period of history from the year 476 (the fall of the Roman Empire) to 1500 approximately.

This was a time of castles and peasants, guilds and monasteries, cathedrals and crusades. Great leaders such as Juana de Arco and Carlomagno were part of the Middle Ages as well as events such as the Black Plague and the rise of Islam.

In the Middle Ages most people lived on a manor in the country. A manor was a village with a castle, a church and some land around it. The king gave land to his most important noblemen and bishops. In return, they promised to give the king soldiers for his armies.

The Peasants The lowest people of society were the peasants. They didn't have their own land, but they got land from the lords . The lords also gave them protection.

Peasants worked on the land and produced the goods that the lord needed. But they did not have a very nice life. They had to pay a lot of taxes and give the lord much of their harvests.

Poor people didn't get very much to eat. They had to eat dark bread because white bread was only for the king and his family. Only rich people had meat to eat.

Peasants lived in rustic country huts; the family animals, such as a cow, may also live inside the home. The home was usually dark, smoky from the fire, and uncomfortable.

The KnightsThe knights were nobles who also fought in battles and tournaments. There were three types of soldiers during the Middle Ages: foot soldiers, archers, and knights. The knights were armored soldiers who rode on horses. Only the wealthiest nobles could afford to be a knight. They needed very expensive armor, weapons, and a powerful war horse.

A Knight served his lord during times of battle, which was frequent. He enjoyed more freedoms and rights than peasants, but his life was always dangerous.

The NoblesLords, ladies and were called nobles. Knights were also nobles. They had a much higher status in medieval society than that of the peasants. The peasants served the nobles and were controlled by them.

A Lord had complete authority over his lands and the people who lived on his lands.